NCI
Norton Consulting & Investigations
NCInsight
A note from the "Chief"
The NCI Team always looks forward to the summer, with travel and relaxing times with family and friends. Often, we are so wrapped up in planning for necessities that we forget to implement proper safeguards to ensure a safe travel experience. Let's all remember to make a checklist to include safety and security measures for close ones. NCI wishes you a very enjoyable and safe summer.
Edward C. "Chief" Norton II, CPP - President
The NCI Team always looks forward to the summer, with travel and relaxing times with family and friends. Often, we are so wrapped up in planning for necessities that we forget to implement proper safeguards to ensure a safe travel experience. Let's all remember to make a checklist to include safety and security measures for close ones. NCI wishes you a very enjoyable and safe summer.
Edward C. "Chief" Norton II, CPP - President
If you use ATMs...
while you travel or anytime, find the most public, indoor location possible. Shield the keypad while entering your PIN and take your receipt with you. Receipts do not have your account number, but shows how much you withdrew and how much is in your account.
Refuse to be a victim - Vacation travel security tips
Thieves look for low risk opportunities to take advantage of victims, so try to think ahead before the distractions of vacation travel creates opportunities. A common sense strategy prior to your vacation will provide peace of mind and keep travel safe and secure.
For the home:
While you are traveling:
For the home:
- Postpone all mail and newspaper delivery for the length of your trip
- Keep a car in the driveway while away or ask a trusted neighbor to park at your house
- Use automatic timers for lights and radios to make it look like someone is home
- Enlist a trusted house-sitter or neighbor to check the house on a regular basis
- Have a monitored security system installed by a reputable firm if you travel frequently
- Do not discuss travel plans or schedules with strangers
While you are traveling:
- Carry one or two credit cards only and carry cash in a money belt or secure pockets
- Keep copies of credit cards, travelers checks, passports, drivers licenses in the hotel safe
- Wear inexpensive watches and jewelry that you would not care about if lost or stolen
- Put name and cell phone only on luggage tags, addresses notify thieves you are traveling
- Carry wallet in front pockets and purses in front if possible
- Do not "flash" money or valuables anywhere
- CASE HISTORY -
"The NCI Investigation was worth every dollar, and then some!"
NCInsight highlights a success story where the NCI Team provides value and Return on Investments for our Clients
This is an actual quote from a manager of a high end retail store who had little experience working with an investigative service provider and did not have a policy for pre-employment screening in place for the staff of eight. NCI's initial discussion with the store manager and the regional office was about shoplifting, due to a six month shrinkage of $80,000.00, or 23%. The regional office wanted to accomplish two goals, first stop the ongoing loss, and secondly, retain a historically great manager.
A job interview at the store was an informal and subjective process where employees were hired on personal feelings, with no background screening or checks of any kind. Concerns over the cost about investigation services and pre-employment screening occur when it is difficult to measure value for dollars being spent. In this case NCI quickly realized that this was not typical shrinkage, as the industry average is around 3%. NCI recommended that investigative interviews of all current employees take place to get a perspective of the attitudes and situation awareness of the staff. The Client approved the investigative interviews and as the NCI Team gathered more and more information from the staff, NCI and the Client realized that several employees were keenly aware of practices like marking down receipts and "looking the other way" when friends and associates came in to shop. As the interviews focused on those most likely to be involved, six of the eight employees immediately resigned without being asked.
After implementing a standard application process with pre-employment screening and backgrounds, the following six month shrinkage report was down to less than 1/2%. The store manager and regional office both concurred that the cost of the investigation and the subsequent pre-employment screening process has been well worth the investment.
A job interview at the store was an informal and subjective process where employees were hired on personal feelings, with no background screening or checks of any kind. Concerns over the cost about investigation services and pre-employment screening occur when it is difficult to measure value for dollars being spent. In this case NCI quickly realized that this was not typical shrinkage, as the industry average is around 3%. NCI recommended that investigative interviews of all current employees take place to get a perspective of the attitudes and situation awareness of the staff. The Client approved the investigative interviews and as the NCI Team gathered more and more information from the staff, NCI and the Client realized that several employees were keenly aware of practices like marking down receipts and "looking the other way" when friends and associates came in to shop. As the interviews focused on those most likely to be involved, six of the eight employees immediately resigned without being asked.
After implementing a standard application process with pre-employment screening and backgrounds, the following six month shrinkage report was down to less than 1/2%. The store manager and regional office both concurred that the cost of the investigation and the subsequent pre-employment screening process has been well worth the investment.
